[Pelican]

I tried shopping around 36-year-old Johnny Klippstein, who had a sparkling ERA of 1.93 in over 100 relief innings for the Phillies in 1963. He finished up 5-6 with a retroactive credit for 8 saves. The Twins offered George Banks, an apparent utility player (decent fielding ratings at every IF position, LF, RF) who hit .280/.392/.493 in Denver in AAA, with 25 HR and 82 RBI. He has had two cups of coffee in Minny and hit decently. [IRL he played small parts of four more seasons in Minnesota and Cleveland, was out of baseball at 31. Last year was a few games at Spartanburg, when it was a Phillies Class A team. There must be a story hidden there.]

Trade: John Klippstein to the Twins for George Banks.

Banks has played 3B, 2B, 1B, and OF in Spring Training. Striking out a lot. Will probably start him in AAA but could use his power off the bench. He has a 64 power rating and 89 eye (consistency walking more than striking out in the minors), but only a 38 contact rating.